London's Chelsea Flower Show was opened by the Queen on Monday. Here are some of the celebrities and the gold-medal winning gardens grabbing press attention.
Best show garden: 'The Daily Telegraph garden fuses a modern, relaxed Swedish style with traditional English elements.' All I know is that you seem to have to field a mixture of white and purple flowers to win these days.Designed by Swedish landscape architect Ulf Nordfjell
Photograph: Jon Enoch Photography
Bill Nighy gets interrupted amongst the irisesPhotograph: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images
Most creative award: 'The Fenchurch garden
A simple garden for sitting in, a green escape. The garden represents an awkward space, one with overwhelming boundary walls and limited planting space. Large structural concrete forms divide the garden into distinct areas.
'Who left those silver beanbags there?
Designed by Paul Hensey
Photograph: /Jon Enoch Photography
Designer Paul Smith: Warmth over vanity?Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Best courtyard garden: 'The Fenland alchemist garden
This theatrical garden is a light-hearted look at the life of a traditional Fen Tiger who practices the ancient art of alchemy. It feeds off the myths and mystery which surround the Fens.'Blimey.
Designed by Stephen Hall and Jane Besser
Photograph: /Jon Enoch Photography
Helen Mirren vying with The Queen for the best bouquetPhotograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
President's most creative award: 'Cayman Islands Department of Tourism & Newington Nurseries Models in swimwear, bearing typically Caymanian art, against the backdrop of 3D images of the Cayman Islands' underwater reef garden.'Great complimentary colours in the bikinis.
Designed by Heidi Klein
Photograph: /Jon Enoch Photography
Helena Bonham-Carter with her mother Elena.Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Best floral arrangement: Elaine Middleton Scaled down, this might suite Helena B-C ?Photograph: Jane Perrone/Guardian
Best urban garden: 'Helios
The urban garden award went to an 'eco chic' creation of a small and cosy space for cities.' You can't help finding the accessories in these gardens faintly comic.Designed by Kate Gould
Photograph: Jane Perrone/Guardian
Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster accessorised by a trug basketPhotograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Top: Stephen Fry, a rose by any other name
Photograph: John Stillwell/PA
All images and bold captions courtesy of The Guardian
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my vote- Stephen Fry, just revisited him as the hothouse flower Oscar Wilde. Wonderful glimpses of the Show, always so amazing- I might show the courtyard garden to my neighbors- their house could use some work. love the blog! G
ReplyDeletei love the guardian's captions. they're hilarious!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThe Daily Telegraph's garden is truly lovely. I wish I could see it in person. And Stephen Fry is, well, Stephen Fry—what more be said?! The man is a genius. And a treasure.
ReplyDeleteGlad you were glad to see Stephen Fry LA and AL.
ReplyDeletePigtown D -I have to tell you that the hilarious comments were mine!
Cheryl, thank you for your kind words.
Heavenly post - especially since you included two of my major crushes, Bill Nighy and Stephen Fry. I'll never forget my first (and only to date) Chelsea Garden Show when I discovered Pimm's Cups (and oh how I did discover them!)
ReplyDeletehi emily, how is it going in Paris? We're missing you.
ReplyDeletePimms has disgraced me on more than one occasion.